Laws in Texas about guns in vehicles (Houston, Waco: fingerprints, to buy)

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

I'm signed up for the CHL class. I was just curious what I could legally do in the mean time.

Thanks to everyone for the good responses.

Great!

Don't be a dork and carry the pistol in the small of your back. I "made" someone this weekend in West Plano outside of Kroger when he was walking to his car and his shirt rode up exposing his holster and his pistol.

Either 3-o-lock or appendix carry are the best. I prefer appendix myself.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by TX75007

Great!

Don't be a dork and carry the pistol in the small of your back. I "made" someone this weekend in West Plano outside of Kroger when he was walking to his car and his shirt rode up exposing his holster and his pistol.

Either 3-o-lock or appendix carry are the best. I prefer appendix myself.

I've got a Springfield Armory .45 XD for home, but I'm shopping for pocket pistols that are very concealable. I'm leaning towards either

Ruger LCP Handgun - Gander Mountain

or

Ruger LCR Handgun - Gander Mountain

but I would appreciate other suggestions if there is something better that is very small.

[RooCeleste]

Originally Posted by TX75007

Get your CHL and you can carry it on your person.

It still has to be concealed.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by RooCeleste

It still has to be concealed.

I find it rather strange that given how gun-friendly Texas is as a state, we don't have an open carry provision. I personally wouldn't open carry as it seems like it could make one a target in a number of ways, but I still find it odd that we are one of a minority of states that doesn't have the option at all.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

I find it rather strange that given how gun-friendly Texas is as a state, we don't have an open carry provision. I personally wouldn't open carry as it seems like it could make one a target in a number of ways, but I still find it odd that we are one of a minority of states that doesn't have the option at all.

You have watched too many John Wayne movies!

Seriously, it would be NICE if we could open carry here. But, I always think of places like Houston and what it would look like if that was legal.

OD

[War Beagle]

Open carry in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If Wikipedia is correct (and that is always a good question to ask), Texas is one of only 7 states with no open carry provision at all.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

Open carry in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If Wikipedia is correct (and that is always a good question to ask), Texas is one of only 7 states with no open carry provision at all.

What I find very strange about the gun laws is that you can carry a rifle openly but not a handgun.
OD

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

I've got a Springfield Armory .45 XD for home, but I'm shopping for pocket pistols that are very concealable. I'm leaning towards either
..
but I would appreciate other suggestions if there is something better that is very small.

I carry a full size XD 45 as my CHL in appendix carry.

Glock G26 is my covert pistol. I can take to the pool in my shorts or to a social situation where I don't want to risk being made. Still very accurate for its size. Be sure to get the magazine extension that gives your pinkie a good grip.

Originally Posted by RooCeleste

It still has to be concealed.

That is the C part in CHL.

The difference vs a CHL vs having in the car is speed of access and having it in the car and the logistics of that.

Actually, there are distinctions within the C.

There is covert vs concealed. The former means no one can tell you have it on you even with a bump check or a casual frisk. The latter means that someone can make you but they have to work at it - the casual observer cannot tell.

Originally Posted by ognend

You have watched too many John Wayne movies!

Seriously, it would be NICE if we could open carry here. But, I always think of places like Houston and what it would look like if that was legal.

OD

Better to be concealed. Surprise is the most important factor.

Originally Posted by ognend

What I find very strange about the gun laws is that you can carry a rifle openly but not a handgun.
OD

You have to go all the way back to Reconstruction for the reasons behind this. The battle with the KKK in the 30s also had an impact on weapons laws in the state.

[ognend]

[quote=TX75007;27697750
You have to go all the way back to Reconstruction for the reasons behind this. The battle with the KKK in the 30s also had an impact on weapons laws in the state.[/quote]

Yeah but you would think by 2013 we would treat these *weapons* equally

So, here is a question: can I ride my horse down my street with a loaded rifle in the scabbard, legally?
OD

[HoustonProfessional]

Originally Posted by TX75007

You have posted misinformation.

In TX, as a matter of law, employers cannot prevent employees from leaving their weapons in their vehicles.

http://www.workforce.com/article/201...for-employers#

I have yet to see any parking garage that has the "gunbusters" sign up.

The only way to detect a weapon in a vehicle is to use a dog. And then obtain a search warrant. Private businesses may employ a dog handler, but most private businesses would also not want to antagonize their patrons or tenants.

I have heard of employers using dogs in their parking lots, but with the new law in TX, this has stopped.

In TX businesses that put the signs up usually get boycotted and the loss of business makes them change their mind.

And a number of lawyers are waiting for one to have someone hurt due to gun crime who left their weapon in their vehicle so they can then sue the business for not allowing people to protect themselves. This will then force insurers to include "gunbuster" signs as a reason to increase risk and thus rates.

My bad. Sounds like you know the facts.